Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: DISK) announces the acquisition of SOULJA BOY – THE MOVIE, a compelling documentary and concert film that features unprecedented and illuminating access to the life and back story of one of this millennium’s most controversial and colorful music stars. Directed by Academy Award™ nominated director Peter Spirer (Notorious B.I.G. Bigger than Life, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel), the film focuses on the many fascinating and fractious facets of DeAndre Cortez Way, otherwise known worldwide as Soulja Boy. This comprehensive film was initiated by Imprint Entertainment and is produced by their founder Michael Becker and Rugged Entertainment’s Joel Rutkowski. The film is set to be released on October 18 across various platforms in the U.S. The announcement was made today by Bill Bromiley, Chief Acquisitions Officer for Image Entertainment and Brett Dismuke, Head of Image’s One Village Entertainment label.
“Few artists in the past decade have enjoyed such meteoric success as Soulja Boy,” explained Dismuke. “His talent has been heralded and his marketing and promotion instincts are legendary. The release will be a great addition to the One Village Entertainment release slate.”
Spirer added, “Soulja Boy is undoubtedly one of the most creative, entrepreneurial hip-hop artists I have ever dealt with. His ability to monetize the internet and his grasp of social media is unparalleled. I think sometimes the press, the public and his peers dismiss him due to lack of understanding or jealousy, and that’s where I hope my film comes in – a straight forward intimate look at a talented young man.”
Soulja Boy has the distinction of being the youngest artist ever to write, perform and produce a number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2007, he released his first full-length album completely independently. “Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before Da Album,” served as a self-confident prophecy of the fame that would follow. That seemingly effortless confidence and determination is part of the magic of Soulja Boy’s cult of personality. The film candidly reveals Soulja Boy’s creative intensity and introduces his entourage; family and musical collaborators who help illustrate how someone so young achieved so much so quickly.
Born in 1990 in Chicago, Way moved with his father to Mississippi where in 2004 he began recording in his father’s studio and posted his music online. By 2007, his “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” became an internet sensation and he was signed to a contract with Collipark Records under the Interscope label. That same year, his first album, souljaboytellem.com, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Rap Album Chart and #4 on the Top 200.
His phenomenal success sparked the expected detractors with whom Soulja cleverly engaged using various internet forums, further showcasing his preternatural marketing genius. In 2010 at age 20, Soulja signed with Violator, the management company that boasts Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey and LL Cool J. With ringtones, downloads and numerous projects in the works, in addition to his mastery of social media, Soulja Boy remains a high profile talent full of surprise. SOULJA BOY – THE MOVIE, provides a thorough understanding of the process and the potential for much more.
